We had a group of 8 (2 vehicles)cross last Friday at about 3AM at the Fort Frances/International Falls crossing. They took all our drivers licences but never asked for anything else. During the questioning, they asked 3 times if we were carring any firearms or ammunition and 2 times if we were carrying any potatos. Both of our vehicles were asked to pull over and checked thoroughly. It appeared that every vehicle crossing at that time was checked. They were very nice and we were in compliance and the whole thing only took about 45 minutes.

We were a little nervous because one of the guy's had gotten a DWI on Easter weekend. We had a plan B in place but nothing was said by customs about this incident.

One thing we did discover, we were always under the assumption that we were allowed to cross the border with 1 bottle of liquor per guy. 8 guys = 8 bottles. However, reading the rules, it says 1.14 litres or 40 oz per person. We brought in 12 - 750ml bottles and they told us we were in compliance.

fyi, just to keep this conversation going...
...we crossed again last Thursday at Fort Frances. Had our drivers licenses ready in one hand with kids's birth certificate (which is silly becasue it has no photo and could be for anyone.) The agent didn't ask to see anything, and the stop took less than 45 seconds.
Coming back the day after Memorial Day, the I_falls agent again declined to even look at our drivers licenses!!! He was more interested in how the fishing was. Total time: Less than 60 seconds.
I've been crossing for decades, we now cross each way about 18 times yearly -- never searched yet! I must look honest!
P.S. The fishing on LOW for walleyes was very, very good.... lots of pesky pine flys, however. They don't bite but they stick to everything!

Wild Thing, thanks for the report, both border crossing and fishing. I couldn't agree with you more on both accounts. Crossing for my wife and I sometimes can take less than 45 seconds, other times, the paperwork comes out and we might be up to 120 seconds.

Walleyes have been getting more and more abundant around here.

Good to see you guys are still holding down the lakes of Ontario, I'll be up to help on the 17th, Looking forward to the trek, staying in Kenora on 17th and flying out on 18th. Hope to see some of you locals in Kenora. Take care, fisherking01

Fisherking01, I just realized I'll be in MN for a wedding that day/weekend. Sorry dude, would've been fun to hook up. How about on your way back through after the fishing? Or will you be making tracks south?

Zeraspooks.....out of curiousity what was your plan B on the DWI deal? My bro got one this past winter, and he is not planning on our guys yearly Canada trip this year. We leave this Sunday and are staynig near Buffalo bay.

It is my understanding that there is 5 year period in which you are not allowed if checked...and then more grace periods after that which require a lot of peperwork to even be considered for re-entry.

Anyways....my pops was really disapointed in my "(Contact US Regarding This Word)" of a brother and the fact that he will not be involved in our trip for at least the next 5 years. I am guessing there is really nothing that can be done besides having a plan B of another car for him to drive home if he is stopped?

Any thoughts?

311, if it's any consolation, I've got a friend who got one a couple years ago. When it happened, I thought that was the end of him coming up to Canada to visit me. So far, he's visited 3 times and he's 3 for 3. If it ever comes up, he'll be southbound.

Plan B would definitely be to have a ride lined up for a long trip south.

I just had a co-worker come back from Canada (LOTW) Morison area. He used his Passport and got by fine - another individual with a DWI in their group used his Fireman ID and his birth certificate and also go by fine. But as it has been mentioned before I think they both had back up plans to head south if they got denied (multiple vehicles)

Here's one for all you guys complaining about the price of beer in Canada. I just got back from a business trip to NYC, and a case of LaBatt's in NYC is $40.00! Also, a pack of smokes is around $7.50 before their wonderful triple sales tax, and gas was $2.45/gal. Tap beer runs around $7.50 for a 16 oz. pull. Bottle of MGD-$6.50. Just another reason to stay put in the Midwest.

I'm heading up to Morson next Thursday for Muskie Opener on Sat., I'll post a report when I get back.

311 -

Our Plan B was to get him a motel room in I Falls and have a buddy drive up to get him the next day if needed. Luckily, we didn't need plan B

That's how much Labatt's cost in Red Lake, ON last week ($40 American).

I miss American prices....

I think I paid $38 ($30 USD)for a 24/case of Blue in the bottles last week, here in Kenora.

When I went to college, we would get a 30 pack of Old Mud for $9.99

30 bucks for Blue? (Contact US Regarding This Word)! Last year I got a case duty free before coming back and I didn't think I payed that much. Hell, I am in college and here we can get a case for 10 bucks for the cheap stuff. Sometimes they put the good beer on firesale for 10 bucks too.

Blue at the duty free is much, much cheaper. That is the way to go for buying booze/beer on your trips up here. Don't buy it at your "ma and pa liquor store" down there. Get duty free just before you cross. (I'm sure everyone already knows this) Crown Royal 1.14 liter are usally $15 ea. (USD) Not bad. Case of CDN beer I think in the $12-$18 range.(USD)

Don't forget: each person can have up to 1.14 liters of hard liquor OR one, 24/case of beer.